CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 16: Carson Schwesinger #49 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates an interception against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field on November 16, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Getty
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 16: Carson Schwesinger #49 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates an interception against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field on November 16, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
It’s easy enough for Browns fans and observers to forget that there were more than a few other selections that came down for Cleveland in the 2025 draft besides third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders, the two top-shelf collegiate quarterbacks whose fates have defined the team’s season in the past two months.
But the Browns pretty well nailed their two second-round picks, when they plucked linebacker Carson Schwesinger from UCLA with the No. 33 pick, and followed that up by taking Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State at No. 36. Cleveland has also seen first-round pick Mason Graham, third-round pick Harold Fannin Jr. and fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson thrive this year, too.
Schwesinger, though, has been the first of the Browns rookies to take home league honors this season: The NFL announced on Thursday that he was the league’s Rookie of the Week winner.
Browns’ Carson Schwesinger Focusing on Wins
Schwesinger put up a big game for the Browns in the Week 11 loss to the Ravens. He recorded a team-high 10 tackles, with two coming for a loss, and added an interception on the day. Schwesinger leads a very impressive Browns defense with 85 tackles, a full 19 more than No. 2 on the team, Devin Bush.
Schwesinger downplayed the winning of the award, noting that it came in a loss.
“I think, it’s cool to see and things like that, but it’s very easy to get caught up in things like that when really the focus is on how do we go out there and win this week, what do I have to do to get prepared this week?” Schwesinger said.
“So, I understand the point and obviously, I can’t just go and avoid it. But really, it’s trying to maintain focus on this week and what we’re doing.”
Carson Schwesinger Compared to Ray Lewis
That’s been the burden carried by the Browns defense all season, which has been the best defense in the league, but operating for a 2-8 outfit because the offense has been so poor. But defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said that Schwesinger brings to mind another good linebacker he once coached–Ray Lewis.
“I gave him a big compliment on Monday because I was with Ray Lewis his first three years in the NFL. I don’t think – and Ray’s obviously a Hall of Famer, maybe the best ever to play in the linebacker position, but the command that Carson has now in a lot of respects took Ray’s third year in the league before …a nd middle linebacker is hard, linebacker is a hard position to play for a young player,” Schwartz said.
“… It’s a very difficult position and he’s been right in the middle of it, and it’s been fun to watch because not only does he do all that stuff well, but he has great command. He’s a great leader for us. He’s our play caller, very rarely makes a mistake.”
Browns’ Defense Raises Level
Schwesinger also said that working his position for the Browns is made a lot easier because of the level of teammates he players with. The Browns have the top defensive front in the NFL, and one of the best secondaries. As a middle linebacker, that allows him to simply focus on sniffing out the football.
“Always trying to find the football, and run to the ball,” Schwesinger said. “I think good things happen when you run to the ball. Another part of it is, when you play behind the front four that we have and with the back end that we have, it makes it really easy to focus on the ball and not have to worry about too much else.”